0000770906
2012-12-13
2012-12-13
0000770906
filsoptrf:S000039212Member
2012-12-13
2012-12-13
0000770906
filsoptrf:S000039212Member
filsoptrf:C000120645Member
2012-12-13
2012-12-13
0000770906
filsoptrf:S000039213Member
2012-12-13
2012-12-13
0000770906
filsoptrf:S000039213Member
filsoptrf:C000120646Member
2012-12-13
2012-12-13
iso4217:USD
xbrli:pure
Expenses are based on estimated expenses expected to be incurred for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.
Expenses are based on estimated expenses expected to be incurred for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.
First Investors Life Series Funds
485BPOS
false
0000770906
2012-12-13
2012-12-13
2012-12-13
2011-12-17
First Investors Life Series Opportunity Fund
Investment Objective:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  The Fund seeks long-term capital growth.</font> </div>
Principal Investment Strategies:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  The Fund invests primarily in mid- and small-size companies that the Fund’s Adviser believes offer strong growth opportunities.  The Fund may continue to hold stocks of companies that grow into larger companies and may also invest opportunistically in larger companies.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund uses a “bottom-up” approach to selecting investments.  The Fund uses fundamental research to search for companies that have one or more of the following: a strong balance sheet; experienced management; above-average earnings growth potential; and stocks that are attractively priced.  The Fund attempts to stay broadly diversified, but it may emphasize certain industry sectors based upon economic and market conditions.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund may sell a stock if it becomes fully valued, its fundamentals have deteriorated or alternative investments become more attractive.  The Fund may also sell a stock if it grows into a large, well-established company, although it may also continue to hold such a stock irrespective of its size.</font> </div>
Principal Risks:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  You can lose money by investing in the Fund.  Here are the principal risks of investing in the Opportunity Fund:</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Market Risk.</font>  Stock prices may decline over short or even extended periods not only because of company-specific developments, but also due to an economic downturn, adverse political or regulatory developments, a change in interest rates or a change in investor sentiment.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Mid-Size and Small-Size Company Risk.</font>  The market risk associated with stocks of mid- and small-size companies is generally greater than that associated with stocks of larger, more established companies because stocks of mid- and small-size companies tend to experience sharper price fluctuations.  At times, it may be difficult for the Fund to sell mid-to-small-size company stocks at reasonable prices.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Security Selection Risk.</font>  Securities selected by the portfolio manager may perform differently than the overall market or may not meet the portfolio manager’s expectations.</font> </div>
You can lose money by investing in the Fund.
Example
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Investments in the Fund can only be made through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by FIL.  The table below does not include the expenses you would incur in purchasing such a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy.  If they were included, the expenses shown in the table below would be higher.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:</font> </div>
95
296
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Fees and Expenses of the Fund:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.  Investments in the Fund can only be made through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by First Investors Life Insurance Company (“FIL”).  This table does not reflect expenses incurred from investing through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by FIL.  If they were included, the expenses shown in the table would be higher.</font> </div>
0.0075
0.0000
0.0018
0.0093
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Performance:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  Performance information for the Fund is not provided because the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this prospectus.</font> </div>
Portfolio Turnover:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs.  These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.  The portfolio turnover rate for the Fund’s last fiscal year is not provided because the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this prospectus.</font> </div>
First Investors Life Series Total Return Fund
Investment Objective:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  The Fund seeks high, long-term total investment return consistent with moderate investment risk.</font> </div>
Principal Investment Strategies:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  The Fund allocates its assets among stocks, bonds and money market instruments.  While the percentage of assets allocated to each asset class is flexible rather than fixed, the Fund normally invests at least 50% of its net assets in stocks and at least 35% in bonds, cash and money market instruments.  The percentages may change due to, among other things, market fluctuations or reallocation decisions by the Fund’s portfolio managers.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Once the asset allocation for stocks, bonds and money market instruments has been set, the Fund uses fundamental research and analysis to determine which particular investments to purchase or sell.  </font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund’s investments in stocks are normally diversified among common stocks of large-, mid- and small-size companies that offer the potential for capital growth, current income, or both.  In selecting stocks, the Fund considers, among other things, the issuer’s financial strength, management, earnings growth potential and history (if any) of paying dividends.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund’s investments in bonds are normally diversified among different types of bonds and other debt securities, including corporate bonds, U.S. Government securities and mortgage-backed securities.  The Fund selects bonds by first considering the outlook for the economy and interest rates, and thereafter, a particular security’s characteristics.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund may sell a security if it becomes fully valued, its fundamentals have deteriorated, alternative investments become more attractive or if it is necessary to rebalance the portfolio.</font> </div>
Principal Risks:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  You can lose money by investing in the Fund.  Here are the principal risks of investing in the Total Return Fund:</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Market Risk.</font>  Stock prices may decline over short or even extended periods not only because of company-specific developments, but also due to an economic downturn, adverse political or regulatory developments, a change in interest rates or a change in investor sentiment.  Similarly, bond prices fluctuate in value with changes in interest rates, the economy and the financial conditions of companies that issue them.  </font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Mid-Size and Small-Size Company Risk.</font>  The market risk associated with stocks of mid- and small-size companies is generally greater than that associated with stocks of larger, more established companies because stocks of mid- and small-size companies tend to experience sharper price fluctuations.  At times, it may be difficult for the Fund to sell mid-to-small-size company stocks at reasonable prices.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Interest Rate Risk.</font>  In general, when interest rates rise, the market value of a debt security declines, and when interest rates decline, the market value of a debt security increases.  Securities with longer maturities are generally more sensitive to interest rate changes.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Credit Risk.</font>  This is the risk that an issuer of bonds and other debt securities will be unable to pay interest or principal when due.  The prices of bonds and other debt securities are affected by the credit quality of the issuer and, in the case of mortgage-backed securities, the credit quality of the underlying mortgages.  Credit risk also applies to securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Prepayment and Extension Risk.</font>  The Fund is subject to prepayment and extension risk since it invests in mortgage-backed securities.  When interest rates decline, homeowners tend to refinance their mortgages.  This could cause a decrease in the Fund’s income and share price.  Extension risk is the flip side of prepayment risk.  Rising interest rates can cause the Fund’s average maturity to lengthen unexpectedly due to a drop in mortgage prepayments.  This will increase both the Fund’s sensitivity to rising interest rates and its potential for price declines.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Allocation Risk.</font>  The Fund may allocate assets to investment classes that underperform other classes.  For example, the Fund may be overweighted in stocks when the stock market is falling and the bond market is rising.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Security Selection Risk.</font>  Securities selected by the portfolio manager may perform differently than the overall market or may not meet the portfolio manager’s expectations.</font> </div>
You can lose money by investing in the Fund.
Example
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Investments in the Fund can only be made through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by FIL.  The table below does not include the expenses you would incur in purchasing such a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy.  If they were included, the expenses shown in the table below would be higher.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:</font> </div>
99
309
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Fees and Expenses of the Fund:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.  Investments in the Fund can only be made through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by First Investors Life Insurance Company (“FIL”).  This table does not reflect expenses incurred from investing through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by FIL.  If they were included, the expenses shown in the table would be higher.  </font> </div>
0.0075
0.0000
0.0022
0.0097
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Performance:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  Performance information for the Fund is not provided because the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this prospectus.</font> </div>
Portfolio Turnover:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs.  These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.  The portfolio turnover rate for the Fund’s last fiscal year is not provided because the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this prospectus.</font> </div>